Mountain Peak System: a Path to NBA-Chapter 492 163: When the GOAT Falls (10,000-Word Update, Begging for Subscriptions and Monthly Tickets!)_2

If necessary, I'll put Jason, Mike, and Troy on the shelf to secure a draft pick that can guarantee his selection.
Rest assured, if there's a player you want, I will ensure he appears on the team's roster."
At this moment, as Mulin happened to talk about Jason Richardson...
Qin Yue curiously asked, "What has Jason been busy with lately? The day I got injured, it seemed like he took a leave of absence from team practice?"
Mulin gave a wry smile and said, "Ever since we got Steve Nash through a trade, Jason has been hinting through his agent that he wants a change of scenery to play ball."
Qin Yue asked puzzled, "Does Jason have a conflict with Steve?"
Mulin shook his head and said, "There's no conflict between the two, but I probably know why Jason wants to leave the team."
As an important member of the Warriors who won back-to-back championships, holding two championship rings, Richardson has always longed for a higher status within the team.
He doesn't want to always be "Championship Puzzle Jason."
Instead, he wants to advance further, gaining status within the Warriors second only to Qin Yue.
Originally, with Artest traded away, Richardson, who felt he could barely suppress Wallace with his seniority, thought he had achieved that status.
But with Nash's arrival in the new season, Richardson immediately felt he was back to square one.
Because compared to Wallace, Nash, who won MVP consecutively, is a star guard whom Richardson could never suppress with just seniority.
This caused significant frustration in Richardson's heart.
It also made him, having tasted the flavor of a championship, start having thoughts of leaving the Warriors to seek higher status in other teams.
Although Richardson's move also implies testing the Warriors management and coaching staff's view of his future role, following Qin Yue's season-ending injury, a championship now feeling out of reach, Richardson is gradually turning his testing into action.
"After the new season, my employer's current contract has two years left." Richardson's agent told Mulin, "Given his current status on the team, I'm very certain you all won't offer him a max contract that would satisfy him in the future."
Mulin said, "If Jason can maintain his form in two years, we are absolutely willing to offer him a renewal contract with an annual salary close to ten million US Dollars."
Richardson's agent shook his head and said, "That won't satisfy Jason. He's a championship-caliber player. From my perspective, if not for playing with the Warriors, he could easily put up star-level scoring stats as a guard."
"Jason has given his prime years to the team, and to win championships, he's even transformed his playing style. You can't expect Jason to keep sacrificing; that's not fair."
Richardson's agent's attitude left Mulin with no choice but to prepare to put him on the shelf.
Mulin always valued personal connections, but that doesn't mean he is unaware of the harm in offering a top salary to someone like Richardson who is far from a top-tier star.
By the time Richardson's contract expires, he will be 30 years old. If Mulin offers him a max contract, it would not only completely lock up the Warrior's operational flexibility in the future, but even Richardson's trade value would inevitably decrease due to carrying a burdensome contract.
"If that's the case, then it's up to you to handle it." After hearing Mulin's recount of Richardson's recent psychological journey, Qin Yue said.
Friends come and go, but the championship banner flies in the wind.
While it's true Qin Yue is willing to fight for his teammates' interests, that doesn't mean he has to fight for every teammate to get a lucrative contract that doesn't match their abilities.
Qin Yue is not Richardson's agent.
He has no obligation to demand the next max contract for Richardson.
And upon receiving Qin Yue's stance, Mulin could finally breathe a sigh of relief.
Because Qin Yue's attitude signified that he would support the decision to prepare to put Richardson on the shelf.
...
The Warriors are about to welcome the new season without Qin Yue.
Upon learning that Qin Yue was out for the season, numerous strong teams, reminiscent of the Rockets' story in the past, were suddenly invigorated, each preparing to seize the opportunity as the new GOAT recovers and launch an assault on the championship.
With Duncan's mediation, Ginobili, facing difficulty in extending his contract with the Spurs, switched to the Celtics through a sign-and-trade deal.
The Celtics got Ginobili as they wished.
And the Spurs?
They will receive a future draft pick from the Celtics, as well as Wally Szczerbiak, who is about to enter a contract year.
Qin Yue noticed that ever since losing Duncan, the Spurs have reached new heights in money-saving tactics.
Unlike in history, where to maintain the team's competitiveness, the Spurs' management would ultimately forgive Ginobili's insistence on playing injured in the Olympics against the team's advice...
In this life, since the Spurs are no longer competitive, what's the point in keeping Ginobili?
At the last moment, the Lakers grit their teeth and matched the 4-year, 50 million US Dollar offer the Kings extended to Monta Ellis.
Initially, considering Ellis is a die-hard fan of Kobe, Lakers General Manager Kupchek thought they could complete the renewal with Ellis at a relatively low price.
Unexpectedly, the Kings unexpectedly offered Ellis a high-salary contract.
Thus, Kupchek immediately found himself in a dilemma.
Then, with Qin Yue's season-ending news coming through...